1.10 INSTRUCTIONS TO JURORS BEFORE VOIR DIRE
(Approved 11/98)
[The following suggested jury instructions are offered as assistance to judges in organizing their communications with juries. The Committee recommends that the judge tailor these instructions to the particular case being tried. In the circumstances presented, some of these suggested instructions should be altered, some should be eliminated. In addition, the format or the order in which these instructions are given to the jury should be the subject of the judges option or discretion in each individual case.]
F. Introduction of Parties, Counsel and Potential Witnesses
The parties to this lawsuit are as follows: [Give the full name and municipality of residence of each party. If the parties are present in the courtroom, the judge may, in his or her discretion, ask the party to stand so that the jury can identify him or her.]
The attorneys who represent the parties are: [Give the full name of each attorney and the law firm for which he or she appears. The judge should consider asking each attorney to rise upon introduction. The judge might consider the option of asking each attorney to introduce himself or herself and the party represented in lieu of the judge performing the introduction.]
Do any of you jurors know any of the parties to this lawsuit or do you know anyone you believe to be related to or acquainted with any party to the lawsuit?[If an affirmative answer, ask the juror to explain.] Do any of you jurors know any attorney involved in this lawsuit or any member of the firm for which the attorney appears? Have you or anyone close to you ever been represented by any of the law firms whose name I have just given you? [If an affirmative answer, ask the juror to explain.]
